Nuggets feel robbed of chance to win

Apparently the Nuggets feel they paid the price for Phil Jackson's whining about the officials after Game 4. A hefty one at that.

Jackson was fined $25,000 and the team another $25,000 for his negative comments after the Lakers lost to Denver in a highly physical contest at the Pepsi Center on Monday.

The Nuggets feel the officials gave Jackson and the Lakers too much love in Game 5, perhaps fearing more of Jackson's wrath. Because in Game 5, the Nuggets were called for 30 fouls resulting in 26 points for the Lakers.

Meanwhile, the Lakers were whistled for 22 fouls.

"The stat sheet says they defended it better. They blocked more shots. We didn't get as many paint points. But I'm not sure that's the case," Denver coach George Karl said.

It might have been most noticeable in the fourth quarter when the Nuggets had 11 fouls, while the Lakers were called for four.

The Nuggets didn't dare talk about the officiating.

"I'm not trying to get fined," Kenyon Martin said. "Because if I start, I ain't going to stop. I already gave them $25,000 (for a flagrant foul during the Dallas series)."

Said Linas Kleiza: "I wish I could talk, but I enjoy having my money in the bank. I think Coach might have addressed it. It's not my place to address it."

With the Lakers so focused on winning the NBA championship, the Nuggets need to hit them where it hurts the most -- in the victory column.

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